National Republican., 1887-03-23
RETRIBUTION At LAST.
MRS. EMMA G. D. NICKERsON DIVORCED
FROM A FUGITIVE HUSBAND.
The Laws Delay Works Justice in the
End-A Case with Many Sensations
Termiuated-Truth OF tho Charges
Made Fully Admitted.

After nearly four years of patient waiting
and overcoming many obstacles Mrs. Emma
G. d. Nickcrson yesterday secured di-
Azor II. Nickerson, and was given
the custody of their child, also per-
mission TO resume her maiden name OF
Derby. Justice Merrick, In dlssolviug the
marriage bond, remarked that he never
granted divorce more cheerfully than he
did that one. Mr.. J. johnson appeared for
the complainant, and Col. Enoch Totten for
the defendant, although there could hardly
be called any resistance to the granting OF the
petition. This was remarkable case, and
at one time created great deal of scandal,
unfortunately including some persons who,
while innocent Of any intent TO commit
wrong, found themselves SO mixed up IN
the affair that 1t was difficult TO escape
share OF the public notoriety bestowed
upon It.
Msj. Nickerson, while an officer OF the
United States army, stationed on the Pa
ciilc coast, married Miss Derby, and In 1879,
being assigned 20 duty in the War Depart
ment, came to this city to reside. His
.wife's health was poor, and at his sugges.
tion in July, 1880, she, with their child,
went abroad, he accompany ing them to the
steamer. A continued correspondence was
carried on between them aud remittauces
sent regularly to her until May 81, 1882,
when suddenly all communication between
them ceased She made several efforts to
hear from him, but without success. For
nearly year this strange silence upon his
part was observed, when she was suddenly
apprised OF Its true meaning. On April "a,
1888, she received a cablegram from her
mother to the effect that Maj. Nickerson
had obtained a fraudulent divorce
and remarked, fastening back across the
the steamer could carry her, the abused
wife came. On her arrival she asoertained
that the decree had been secured in Phil
adelphia court, and thither she went TO en-
tighten the Judge as to the facts, and showed
how badly the court, as well as herself, had
been imposed upon. She further learned
that her husband, after satisfying q lady of
of tho court that he was legally divorced
and free to marry, welded that lady quietly
in Baltimore and returned 10 Washington.
Prompt to take action she Immediately,
through her count oil, entered suitfor divorce,
the court in Philadelphia in the mean.
time having set aside the decree obtained
there, and Maj Nickerson having been
indicted for obtaining divorce through
fraud and subornation OF perjury. While
this was transpiring the War Department
did not remain inactive. Charges were pre-
ferred against Maj. Nickerson, he was
placed under arrest, released on parole, and
a court martial summoned to try him.
This situation was becoming very grave
for the officer who had deliberately COM
mtted crime and tainted the reputation of
his fellow officers, aud 1t looked as II seri-
Gus consequences would come upon him for
the misconduct Of which he had been guilty.
1t was not to be expected that man who
delit erately deceived his wife, lied to an un-
suepecting, confiding woman, would keep
true to his parole, and he did not. Seeking
out the shortest route to Canada, he took
II, and since that time has been a resident
Of the country which has become the home
OF embezzlers, "boodle' aldermen, default
ere, and crooks generally, forced to quit the
United States.
Mr.. johnson, briefly as possible, stated to
the court what the testimony would show
II read, and, while he had heard of cases in
which divorce was proper, he said that he
had never known Of one where the aid OF
the law was 30 Justly invoked as this.
Col. Totten admitted that no defense
could be made to the charge, and agreed
with Mr. johnson that Mrs. Nickerson was
entitled to n divorce.
Justice Merrick made some criticisms
upon the conduct OF the husband, and gave
the wife all that she asked for In her prayer
to the bill.